Mower



L. A. PARADISE ET AL MOWER Filed June 16, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet l April 2, 1935. L, A. PARA`D|$E El' AL 1,996,484

MOWER Filed June 16, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Apr. Z, 1935 YYUltlI'l'ED STATES MowER Applicata@ June 15,1934, serial No. 730,893

Y Y 14 claims. (c1. 56-272) The present invention relates to mowers, and more particularly to mowers of the type in which the `reciprocating sickle of the cutting mechanism is actuated by power derived from thersupporting wheels of the implement vand in which a clutch. device is employed for connecting anddisconnecting the drive to the sickle reciprocat ing means. f

The principal object of the-present inventionis Y to provide improved driving mechanism between the supporting wheelsof the mower andthe reciprocating sickle, whereby the same may be enclosed in an oil-tight casing so that such mechanism will be properly lubricated at all times and danger of loss of lubricant will be avoided.

A still furtherobject of the invention is the provision of an improved-oil-tight mower drive assembly in which the oil may pass freely from the main gear case to the' ratchet drive mechanism associated with each of the supporting wheels and vice versa,so that all theoperating parts of the driving mechanism of the mower may be lubricated from a common source. t

Another object of the invention is the provision of improved clutch mechanism in the driving train by the actuation of which thev operation of thesickle may be controlled.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved means for securing the main driving gear of the driving train to the main axle shaft which is driven by the supporting-wheels. Particularly, the present invention contemplates securing means which is easily assembled and readily attachable and detachable when replacing the "l driving gear.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of improved means for securing the main driving gear to the axle shaft by which the latter is accurately maintained in position in the casing.

Other objects and advantageous features of the present construction willA be apparent from the preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a mower with certain parts broken away and other parts shown in horizontal section, the view being taken sub stantially on theline I-I of Figure 2;v

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional .viewthrough the driving mechanism of the mower, taken substantially on the.. line 2-2 of Figure 1;

V Figure 3 is a vertical sectional View taken on the plane of the line 3 3 of Figure 1 and illustrating the ratchet mechanism associated with each of the supporting wheels;

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional` View of the clutch'mechanism, shown also in Figure 1, by which the operation of the sickle is controlled.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary top plan View illustratingthe clutch operating pedal and the cam 5 5I lug and notchformed/in the `frame member that cooperates with said clutch pedal in the operation of the sickle controlling clutch;

Figure 6 is an enlarged vertical sectional view, taken on the plane of the line 6 6 of `Figure 5 10,; and illustrating the clutch pedal and the means for Vsecuring-it to the clutch'operating rod;

Figure 7 is-an elevational -view of the sleeve xed to the main axle shaftand which carries splines on which the main driving gear is mount- 'l5` ed; and Y Y u Figure 8 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view taken on the plane Vof the line 8-8 of Figure 1 `and illustrating the means for securing the hub ofthe -main driving gear to the axleshaft.- 20

The present invention is not concerned with the entire mower structure, but more particularly has todo only with the driving mechanism for the reciprocating sickle, and, therefore, only such parts of the `mower as are necessary to a full 25 understanding of the present invention have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and will be-hereinafter described.

As shown in Figure' 1, the mower comprises a main frame member I I in the form of a suitable 30 casting from which the usual cutting mechanism I2 is supported in any conventional manner, as by means of a thrust bar I3 and a tension rod I4. The mower is adapted to be' drawn by means of a pole I5 to which a team of. horses or a tractor 35 maybe connected in any suitable manner not shown.- The mower is supported o n a pair of l, wheels I6 and l'L'power being derived from such wheels for reciprocating bthesickle I8 of the cutting `mechanism I2.

Formed integral with themain .framemember I I is a hollow gear casing 20 which extends. foreV and aft of the mower andv sleeves 2| `and 22 which extend transversely of the mower. VVThe sleeves 2i and 22 provide tubular openings 23 and 24 in 45 which the supporting axle shaft 25 isdisp'osed, the latter: being journaled iii-'suitablev bearings 28 and 2i mounted'in the sleeve 2l andin the outer end of the sleeve portion- 22, respectively, all as shown in Figure l.

The endsof the axle 25 project outwardly beyond theouter'ends of the Asleevemembers 2 I and Z2, and the supporting wheelsl andv Ii jof the mower are journaled on such outer ends. The axle 25 is rotatedby powerderived from the supporting 55 foi-Fics 1 gear case 20.

Wheels `I6 and |1 when the mower is moved in a forward direction, and for this purpose each of said wheels has associated therewith a suitable ratchet mechanism indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral 28. As the structure of these two ratchet mechanisms is identical, only one will be described. As shown in Figure l, each end of the axle -25 is Vprovided with external splines 29 laterally outwardly of the outside of the hub 3D of the associated wheel. The splines 29 engage with internal splines provided in the hub of a pawl plate 3| to lock the axle and plate against relative rotation. The pawl plate 3| is held against longitudinal movement relative to the axle by means of a washer 25a and a nut 25D as shown. As shown in Figure 3, each pawl plate 3| carries a plurality of spring pressed ratchet dogs 32 which upon rotation of the wheel in the forward movement of the mower are adapted to engage with teeth 33 formed around the inner periphery of a drum 34 cast integral with the hub 3|) of the .associated driving wheel, wherebyro.-A

tation of the wheels in the forward movement drives the axle 25; Upon backward rotation of the wheels, as by rearward movement of the mower, however, the ratchet dogs will merely slide over the teeth 33, so that the axle 25 will not be rotated by backward rotation of the carrying Wheels l5 and I1. Y

A'suitable cover plate 35 is fitted over the outer end of the drum 34 for enclosing the ratchet mechanism, said plate being clamped to the drum by means of a series of circumferentially disposed bolts 36 (see Figures 1 and 3). A suitable gasket, as indicated at 31, is provided between the cover plate 35 and the drum 34 to make the connection between the cover and the drum oil-tight. It will thus be seen that the drums 34 and the cover plates 35 form oil-,tight housings for the ratchet mechanisms associated withthe two carrying wheels I5 and |1. The lubricant supply in the housings'formed by the cover plates and drums, and also in the main gear casing 20, may be replenished when -necessary by inserting the lubricant through suitable openings provided 'in the cover plates 35 and also in the cover plate 25a for the main gear casing, said openings being normally closed by screw plugs 45 (see Figures 1 and 2) Thus the ratchet mechanisms and the gears in the main gear casing 2D, which will be hereinafter described, will operate in a bath of oil or other lubricant.

The main gear'case 2S is provided with a cover plate 20a which may be bolted or otherwise rigl idly secured to the case, and a gasket Zlib is interposed between the cover plate 20a and the case 25 to provide an oil-tight seal. For preventing the escape of `oil out of the gear case 2) from between the outer'ends of the sleeves 2| and 22 and the inner ends of the hubs 3D of the wheels I5 and l1, oil seals i0 and 4| are provided on the outer ends of the sleeves 2| and 22, respectively, as shown in Figure 1.

It will be seen from the foregoing that while oil can passfrom each of the ratchet mechanism housings between the shaft 25 and the boring of the-hubs 3i] of the wheels i6 and l1, through the bearings 25 and 21 and through theV openings 23 and 24 to the main gear casing 2|), or vice versa, such oil is prevented from escaping to the outside by reason of the oil seals 40 and 4| and the oil-tight sealprovided by the gaskets 31 of the ratchet 'housings and the gasket 20h of the main good lubrication of Iall ofthe'operating parts of By this construction, therefore,A

the mechanism thus far described, and a minimum consumption of oil, is assured.

The main driving gear is indicated by the numeral 41, and is iixedly secured to the axle 25 withinV the main gear case 2), as will now be described. Fixedly secured to the axle 25 at the point where it passes through the gear casing 20, is a sleeve 48 provided with external splines 48a, best shown in Figures 7 and'8. This sleeve has transverse holes 49 bored therethrough adjacent one end, and, in the assembly of the sleeve upon the axle 25, the sleeve is Welded to the axle through said holes (see Figures 1 and 4). By securing the sleeve to the axle in this manner the necessity of boring any holes in the axle is eliminated and, of course, the strength of the axle is thus not decreased in any way. This is an advantageous feature because of the fact that boring holes in the axle would materially weaken it.

The main driving gear 41 is disposed over the sleeve 48, the hub 52 of said gear being provided with internal splines 41m adapted to engage' with the external splines 48a of the sleeve 48, as shown in Figure 8, whereby said gear is mounted on said axle to rotate-therewith. Suitable locking' means is provided for preventingendwise movement of the gear 41 relative to the sleeve 48.V This locking means is best shown in Figure 8, and comprises a pair of bolts 53 disposed in transverse holes-54 provided inV diametrically opposite sides of the hub 52 adjacent one end thereof, the

shank portions of said bolts engaging in a circumferential recess' 55A (see Figure 7) provided therefor in the sleeve48. By the provision of the circumferentialr recess 55 for the reception of the bolts 53,the assembly of the gear 41y upon' the sleeve 48 and replacement of the gear is facilitated and simplie'd because with such construction the gear 41 may be placed on thesleeve 14s-without having to pay any @attention to' 'the angular positionY of the gear relative `to the sleevel It is to beparticularly noted incon-v nection with this mounting of the gear41 upon the axle 25 that it is unnecessary to provide any hole or holes in the axle to secure the gear thereon, and yet such gear may be readily removed when necessary. Y

The hub 52 of the main driving gear 41 is made substantially the saine length as the widthjof the interior of the gear casing 20 at theY point where the axle 25 passes through saidlcasing, the ends'of the hub engaging against the inner l surfaces of the side walls of the casing at this point. It will thus beseen thatinasmuch as the gear 41 is held against endwise movement relative to the sleeve by the bolts 53 engaging in the circumferential recess 55 and the sleeve .is held against longitudinal movement on the vaxle by .being welded thereto, the engagement ofthe ends of the hub 52 of the gear 41 with the side walls of the casing 20 provides means for preventing endwise movement of the axle 25 in both directions.

The main driving gear 41 meshes with gear teeth 50 formed integralwith the enlarged end portion Blof a sleeve 62 journaled on a dead spindle 63 xedly mounted in the casing 20, as shown in Figure 1, or in any other suitable manner. Journaled' upon the sleeve 62 substantially centrally of the length thereof is a bevel gear 65 having a hub 66 the outer end of which bears against the inner end ofthey enlarged portion 6| of the sleeve 62, as shown in Figure 1. 'Ihe bevel gear 65 mesheswith a bevel-pinionV l68 xed upon hthe rear endofV apitman crank shaft 69 journaledin any suitable manner in al sleeve memberf'lil formed integral with the main frame H lof the mower, theforward endv of the crank shaft 691:being operatively connected by a crank afwit-h a pitman 69h which is operated vby the cranktoreciprocate the sickle I8 ofthe cutting mechanism l2 before described.

For .controlling the degree of engagementof the bevel gear 65 with the bevel pinion-68fa stepped washer 'H is Vjournaled on` the xed spindle- 63 and is adapted to lcontact with the enlarged end` portion 6| of the sleeve 62 as shown in Figure 1,'the outer or stepped surface of `the washer-contacts with a-pin12 disposed in a hole inthe spindle 63 and extending outward beyond theA surface thereof. By turning the stepped washer 'Il onthe spindle 63 so that the pin 12 will engage the washer at diierent points on the stepped surface thereof, Athe washer may be movedr longitudinally a slight extentin either direction along the spindle 63,moving with -it the sleeve 62, thereby moving the bevel gearA journaled on the sleeve E2 Atoward or from the bevel pinion 68, as will 'be readily understood.

lMeans'is provided` whereby the bevel gear 65 may be vlocked to the sleeve 62 to rotate therewith so as to drive the crank shaft 69 through its intermeshing engagement with the bevel pinion S8 xed on thel crank shaft. Such means includes a clutch member 'I3 the hub portion of which is provided with internalsplines slidably but nonrotatably :engaging over the externally splined inner end of 'the sleeve 62 as shown in dotted lines in Figure 1. This clutch member 'I3 is provided with jaw teeth '13a (Figure 5) adapted to engage with Vcompanion jaw teeth 13b formed on the adjacent end 'of the hub 66 of the bevel gear 65,'as shown in Figures l and 5. It will be seen, therefore that theoperation ofthe crank shaft `6) which isv operatively connected with the bevel gear 'through vtnebevel pinion 69, and hence the operation of theI pit-man 69h that reciprocates the sickle I8, are Acontrolled by the actuation `of the clutch member 13.

Suitable mechanism is provided for shifting the clutchmernber 73 to moveethe clutch teeth 13a thereof into or out of engagement with the jaw teeth '13b on 4thehub 66 of the bevel gear 65, whereby the drive to the crank shaft 59 may be controlledby thev operator of the mower. Such mechanism comprises a shifting rod 15 slidably mounted in an opening 'i6' in theside wall of the casing 20 and in opening in a lug H depending from the lower side of the'frarne l l. vFixed to the end of `the rod 75 that projects into the casing 20 isa shifting fork 18, best shown in section in Figure 4, the prongs of which Yengage in a circumferential recess 'I9 formed in the hub of the clutch member T3 adjacent the outer end thereof. The rod T5 is yieldingly urgedin the direction to cause the jaw teeth 73a of the member-'l''to engage with the jawteeth 13b on the bevel gear by means of a'compression spring 80 which bears against the lug 'l1 and aga-inst a` Cotter pin 8i disposed in a transverse hole in the rod 75, as best'shown in Figure 4.

The position of the rod l5 is controlled by means of a foot lever 84 (see Figures 5 and V6) which extends up through an opening 85 in a reinforcing web portion 8S of the frame Il and projects rearwardly over the sleeve 22 to a point within convenient reach ofthe operator on the mower, asshown in Figure 5. The lower end 84a ef the foot. lever -l8l! isV provided vwith a threaded opening which is disposed over a threaded collar 81 journaled on the rod 'l5 andA bearing against a washer 88 which, in` turn, bears against the cotter pin 8l. Thisfthreaded end 84a of the lever onk one side oi the opening: 85, whereby byy press--v ing the rear end of thelever ddownwardlyVthe cam surface of thel lug Av9i) willcausethe levery 4811 tobe shifted outwardly` or to'theright as shown in vFigures land 5, which in turn will cause'the rod` 15,' to whichthe foot lever isfxedf as` above' described, to be also shifted in the same-direc'.- tion. This lateral shifting ofthe rod 15, acting through the' instrumentalityof theshifting fork 'lilV xed thereto, in turnfshifts fthe member "I3,

`in thesame direction `and away from the gear 65,

thereby i disengaging' the jaw teeth"13a. of the member 'I3 from the jaw teeth "13b on the-bevel gear' 65, whereby the drive from the sleeve 62,

which is in mesh with the n'laind'rive g-ear-l,l

to the bevel gear -65 is disconnected, and the operation of the crank shaft Gil isY thus discontinued. -When it is ragain'desired-to drivevthey crank shaft 65 and thus operate thelsickle the operator releases the pressure onthe foot lever v'8d and the spring S8 then -acts to move the 'rod 75' to the 'left'to relock th jaw teeth of the clutch, the foot leverswingingi upwardly at'the same time. The inner` or vclutch-engaging positionof :the clutch member 1-3 islimited-by the engagement of the foot-lever 84 Vinthe recess v'92 vin Vtheweb 85 of the frame (see'Figures- 5`and 6) andthis inner position of the member 13 when the lever 84 is in the recess maybe adjustedby shifting the position of tlieflever 84 on the collar-T81, which can-readily be done by `loosening'the bolt 89 and then turning thecollar 8l in one ldirection or the other on the' rod`15, the screw threaded connection between'the collar 8l and the lower endof theffoot lever 84 above described permit-J ting such adjustment. v

For preventing oil from leaking out ofthe opening in the casing 20 through which therod' 75 projects, a 'leather washer 95 is provided,v said washer being disposed in a recess 9 6 providedv in the side Wall vof the casing 20 around the opening. This washer $5l is-held in oil-tightv engagementl with the bottom of the recess and is constantly urged into oil-tight engagement with the rod 'l5 by means of a spring 91 that bears against the fork member '18 of the clutch operating means; and against a cup-shaped metal washer 98 which, inA turn, bears against the leather washer 95,

.Weclairn: 4 e

- l. Av mowervcomprising a frame, a wheel supported axle journaled on the frame, a driving gear xed on said axle, a spindle xed' onthe frame, a sleeve journaled upon said spindle, said sleeve having a portion on one end in which gear teeth are formed,said gear teeth meshing with the teeth of said-Ydriving"gear, a'bevell gear having a hub journaled upon said sleeve, crank shaft journaled on Vthe frameand having a bevel pinion iix'ed to one end and 'meshing With-said bevelgeana clutch member 's lidably but non-.rotatablymounted onithe other'end ofsaidl sleeve,

and means for shifting said member into driving engagementwith said bevel gear. 2. yA mower comprising a frame, a wheel supported axle journaledon the frame, a driving gearfixed on said axle, a spindle xed on the frame, a sleeve journaled upon said spindle, said sleeve having an enlarged portion on one end in which gear teeth are formed, said gear teeth meshing with the teeth of said driving gear, a bevel` gear having a hub journaled upon. said sleeve and bearing against the inner end of said enlarged portion, a crank shaft journaled on the frame and having a bevel pinion xed to one end and meshing with said bevel gear, said pinion holding said bevel gear against the inner end of said enlarged portion, a clutch-toothed member slidably but non-rotatably mounted on the other end of said sleeve, companion clutch teeth formed on said bevel gear, and means for shifting said member into engagement with the clutch teeth on said bevel gear. A Y Y 3. A mower comprising a frame, a wheel supported axle journaled on the frame, a driving gear xed on said axle, a spindle iixed on the frame, a sleeve journaled upon saidspindle, said sleeve having an enlarged portion on one end in which gear teeth are formed, said gear teeth meshing with the teeth 'oi said driving gear, a bevel gear having a hub journaled upon said sleeve and bearing against the inner end of said enlarged portion, a crank shaft `iournaled on the frame and having a bevel'pinion xed to one end and meshing with said bevel gear, said pinion holding'said bevel gear against the inner end of said enlarged portion, a clutch-,toothed member slidably but non-rotatably mountedon the other end of said sleeve, companion clutchteeth formed on said bevel gear, meansfor shifting said member into engagement with the clutch teeth on said bevel gear, and means `for controlling the degree of engagement of the bevel gear with the bevel pinion.

4. A mower comprising aframe, a wheel supported axle journaled on `the frame, a driving gear fixed on said axle, a spindle xed on the frame, a sleeve journaled-upon said spindle, said sleeve having an enlarged-portion on-one end in which gear rteeth are formed, said gear teeth meshing with the teeth oi said driving gear, a bevel gear having a hub journaled upon said sleeve and bearing againstthe inner end of said enlarged portion, a crank shaft journaled on the frame and having a bevel pinion xed to one end and meshing with said bevel gear, said pinion holding said bevel gear against the inner end of said enlarged portion, a clutch-toothed member slidably but non-rotatably mounted on the other end of said sleeve, companion clutch teeth formed on said bevel gear, means for shifting said member into engagement with the clutch teeth on said bevel gear, and means for controlling the degree of engagement of the bevel gear with the bevel pinion, said means comprising a pin xedly secured in said spindle and a stepped washer journaled on said spindle between said pin and said sleeve. Y

5. A mower comprising v a wheel supported frame, cutting mechanism, means lfor deriving power from the supporting wheels to. operate the cutting mechanism, said means. including a clutch comprising companion clutch members, one of which is longitudinally movable into and out of engagement .with the other member, means for shifting said movable. member comprising a shifting rod supported on the `frame for axial sliding movement, a shifting fork on said rod engaging in a recess in said movable member, a threaded collar on said rod, a lever threaded on said collar, and means cooperating with said lever to move said rod when said lever is rocked about the axis of said rod, said. threaded collar providing means for adjusting-the clutch by turningsaid collar relative'to said lever to changethe position of said lever on said collar.

6. A mower comprising a wheel supported frame, cutting mechanism, means fonderiving power from the supporting wheels to operate the cutting mechanism, said means including a clutch comprisingcompanion clutch members, one ofy which is longitudinally movable into and out of engagement with the other member, meansA for shifting said movable clutch member comprising a shifting rod supported on the frame for axlal sliding movement, a shifting fork on said rod engagingA in a recess in said movable member, means yieldingly urging said rod inthe direction to cause said movable clutch member to engage its companion clutch member, a lever secured to said rod, cam means o n theframe cooperating withvsaid lever to move said rod in the vdirection to disengage said clutch members when said lever is rocked aboutA the kaxis of said rod, and stop means on the frame cooperating with said lever to limit the engaged position of said members.

7. A mower comprising a wheel supported frame, cutting mechanism, means for deriving power from the supporting wheels to operate the cutting mechanism, said means including a clutch comprising companion clutch members, one of which is longitudinally movable into and out of engagement with the other member, means for shifting said movable clutch member comprising a shifting rod supported ron the frame for axial sliding movement, a shifting forkon said rod engaging in a recess in said movable member, means yieldingly urging said rod in the direction to cause said movable clutch member to engage itscompanion clutch member, a lever xed to said rod, spring means normally tending to'move said rod in a direction to engage said clutch members, means cooperating with said lever to move said rod against the action of said spring in the direction todisengage said clutch members when said llever is rocked about the axis of said rod, stop means cooperating with said lever to limitthe engaged position of said clutch members, and

means for adjusting said lever longitudinallyV along said rod for varying the engaged position; of said clutch members.

8. A mower comprising a wheel supported frame, cutting mechanism, means for deriving power from the supporting wheels to operate the cutting mechanism, said means including a clutch comprising companion clutch members, one member of which-is longitudinally movable into and out of engagement with the other member, means for shifting said movable clutch member comprising a shifting rod supported on the frame for axial sliding movement, a shifting fork on'said rod engaging in a recess in said movable clutch member, means yieldingly urging said rod in the direction to cause said movable clutch member to engage its companion member, a threaded collar on said rod, a lever threaded on said collar, cam means on the frame cooperating with said lever to move said rod in the direction to disen-- gage said clutch members when said lever is rocked about the axis of said rod, stop means on the frame cooperating with said lever to limit the engaged position of said members, said threaded collar providing means for adjusting said engaged position by turning said collar relative to said lever to change the position of said lever on said collar.

9. A mower comprising a frame having a gear casing formed thereon and having aligned transverse tubular openings leading into the interior of said casing, a wheel supported axle journaled in said openings and projecting through said casing, and a gear in said casing having a hub nonslidably and non-rotatably mounted on said shaft, the length of said hub being substantially equal to the width of the interior of said casing adjacent said openings and said vhub tting closely therebetween, whereby said axle is held against axial movement relative to said frame in both directions. y

10. A mower comprising a frame having a gear casingformed thereon and having aligned transverse tubular openings leading into the interior of said casing, a wheel supported axle journaled in said openings and projecting through said casing, a sleeve fixed on said axle and having external splines, a gear in said casing and having a hub disposed over said sleeve, said hub having internal splines engaging the external splines on said sleeve, said sleeve having a circumferential groove and said hub having a transverse boring extending therethrough tangentially to the base of said groove, and a pin disposed in said boring and engaging in said groove -to hold said gear against endwise movement relative to said axle.

l1. A mower comprising a frame having a gear casing formed'thereon and having aligned transverse tubular openings leadinginto the interior of said casing, a wheel supported axle journaled in said openingsand projecting through said casing, a sleeve fixed on said axle, a gear in said casing non-rotatably mounted on said sleeve, and

means carried by said gear for locking said gear against longitudinal vmovement relative to said sleeve.

12. A mower comprising a frame having a gear casing formed thereon and having aligned transverse tubular openings leading into the interior of said casing, a wheel supported axle journaled in said openings and projecting through said casing, a sleeve fixed on said axle and having external splines, a gear in said casing and having a hub disposed over said sleeve, means for locking said hub against rotation relative to said sleeve, a circumferential groove in said sleeve, and means carried by said hub and engaging in said circumferential groove for locking said gear against longitudinal movement relative to said sleeve.

13. A mower comprising aframe having a gear casing formed thereon and having aligned transverse tubular openings leading into the interior of said casing, a wheel supported axle journaled in said openings and projecting through said casing and through the outer ends of said openings, wheels having hubs journaled on the projecting ends of said axle, ratchet mechanism connecting each of said wheels with said axle, oil-tight closure means for the laterally outer portions of said mechanisms, and means providing an oiltight seal between the inner ends of said hubs and the frame, whereby oil may circulate freely from said casing through said openings along the outer ends of said axles to said ratchet mechanisms.

14. A mower comprising a frame having a gear casing formed thereonl and havingaligned transf verse tubular openings leading into the interior of said casing, a wheelA supported axle journaled in said openings and projecting through said' casing and through the outer ends of said openings, wheels having hubs journaled on the prol jecting ends of said axle, a drum having internal teeth formed integral with the outer end of each hub, means fixed to each end of said axle and carrying a ratchet dog adapted to engage said teeth to establish a one-way driving connection between said wheels and said axle, a cover plate for the outer end of each drum removably fixed thereto in oil-tight relationship therewith, and means providing an oil-tight seal between the inner ends of 'said hubs and the frame, whereby oil may circulate freely from said casing through said openings along the outer ends of said axles into said drums and Vice versa without escape to the o-utside.

LOUIS A. PARADISE.

WILBUR J. COULTAS.

NORMAN F. ANDREWS. 

